The Practical Wealth Show

Summary

Most people hear "franchise" and think McDonald's-level money and full-time grind. In this episode, Curtis sits down with Greg Mohr, founder of Franchise Maven, to break down a smarter, recession-resistant path: buying essential service businesses with proven systems without needing to be the technician.

Greg shares his background from corporate engineering and small business ownership into franchising, then teaches how to evaluate franchise opportunities like a real investor. The centerpiece is his simple due-diligence filter: talk to 10+ operators before you buy anything and know what to listen for.

What You'll Learn Why service franchises (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, senior care, restoration) can be more recession-resistant than trend-based businesses -The difference between buying a job vs buying a system (and how to structure the owner role) -A realistic expectation for time and ramp-up: 10–15 hours/week and a 2–3 year runway to "work-optional" cash flow -The 10-Operator Rule: why talking to 10 franchisees changes everything, and how it protects you from expensive mistakes -3 red flags to watch for when interviewing franchisees -Why undercapitalization kills otherwise good businesses—and how to think about runway and liquidity -What a pro forma is (in plain English) and how it helps you map break-even and profitability

Key Quotes / Ideas "Don't buy a job—buy a system." "If you can't handle 18 months without income, don't pretend you're ready." "Keep interviewing operators until you hear the same truth over and over."

Welcome: recession-resistant cash flow through service franchises. Greg's path: corporate → small business → franchising. Who this is for: career-changers, high achievers, and managers. Why service franchises are an overlooked asset class beyond fast food. The owner's role: you don't need to be the technician. "Don't buy a job—buy a system" and the delegation mindset. What "recession-resistant" actually means (essential services). Realistic time and effort expectations (semi-absentee ≠ no work). The 10-Operator Rule for due diligence. Red flags to watch for before buying. Capital runway and avoiding undercapitalization. Pro forma basics: costs, break-even, and timeline.

Episode Highlights

00:00:19 - Recession-resistant cash flow with franchising.

00:00:51 - The 10 operator rule for due diligence.

00:03:01 - Transition from corporate to entrepreneurship.

00:04:30 - Service businesses as overlooked asset classes.

00:06:49 - Essential services franchises.

00:10:10 - Systematizing for time and financial freedom.

00:13:37 - Recession-resistant business advantages.

00:14:09 - Realistic time and effort expectations.

00:14:47 - Importance of detailed financial forecasting.

00:18:00 - Necessity of liquidity and capital planning.

00:20:45 - The importance of building cash flow.

00:30:36 - Networking and due diligence in franchise investing.

00:32:20 - Franchise Maven's consulting process.

00:35:39 - Education and preparedness in franchising.

00:37:58 - Key factors for franchise success.

00:40:41 - Risk tolerance and strategic planning.

Episode Resources

• Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com

• Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com

• How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/XJwH7kM0wWxYB1KICcOW

• Title: Founder & CEO, Franchise Maven Email: [email protected] Phone: 361-772-6401 Website: franchisemaven.com

Keywords

• The Practical Wealth Show

• recession resistant

• cashflow

• service business systems

• franchising

• Greg Moore

• Franchise Maven

• Forbes business council

• Wall Street Journal bestselling author

• high achievers

• replace W-2 income

• reliable cashflow

• due diligence filters

• 10 operator rule

• buying a franchise

• restaurant industry

• corporate world

• master franchisor

• franchise consultant

• financial freedom

• time freedom

• recession resistant industries

• essential services

• HVAC

• plumbing

• electrical

• senior care

• restoration services

• passive income

• franchise disclosure document

• service businesses

• asset class

• franchise royalties

• franchise success rate

• Greg Mays

Summary

A "raise" isn't just more income it's more control. This episode breaks down how to build an income engine so your lifestyle isn't dependent on one stream of earned income. The focus is practical: stabilize cash flow, redirect leaks, and convert surplus into a repeatable system that produces results.

What You'll Learn

-The difference between more income and more usable income. -Why most people don't need a raise they need an engine. -How to design a simple system that turns surplus cash into momentum. -What to measure weekly so the engine actually grows.

Core Framework (simple + memorable) Find it: Identify leaks and wasted transfers (interest, taxes, fees, inefficiency). Free it: Restructure cash flow so you create surplus on purpose. Fund it: Route surplus into a controllable "engine" (liquidity + strategy).

Flip it: Use that engine to create more income (assets, business growth, opportunity funding).

Practical Action Steps

1.Pick one "pay raise lever" you can pull in the next 7 days: -Cut one recurring leak -Raise pricing / renegotiate a contract -Reduce debt drag (interest payments) -Build a controlled reserve you can deploy

2.Set a weekly target for: -Cash captured -Cash kept (after leaks) -Cash deployed into the engine

3.Repeat weekly until the engine becomes predictable. - Who This Is For -High earners who still feel behind -Business owners with inconsistent cash flow -Anyone trying to escape "one-income dependency"

Episode Highlights

00:00:11 - Building wealth the smart way.

00:00:28 - Money For Life process overview.

01:14:18 - Earn it: Turning income into a cash engine.

02:01:57 - Four steps: Control your finances.

03:13:41 - Product-based income paradigm.

04:26:36 - Financial planning requires finances.

06:13:41 - Earn more money through efficiency.

07:33:46 - Find and create opportunities for income.

09:17:59 - Passive and asset-based income insights.

10:56:10 - Unique ability: What comes easy to you?

12:22:32 - Finding margin for debt freedom.

13:00:37 - Shift your mindset to maximize wealth.

14:31:01 - Focus on cashflow rather than rates of return.

16:10:53 - The significance of starting lean.

18:47:21 - Challenge traditional financial paradigms.

19:28:06 - Create your own raise through side business.

20:15:05 - Importance of financial literacy and action.

Episode Resources

Take your scorecard/assessment and we'll map out the fastest path to build your income engine. https://curtis-wbwb4naf.scoreapp.com

Keywords

• The Practical Wealth Show

• Curtis May

• building wealth

• cash flow control

• infinite banking

• principles based planning

• Money For Life

• Jeffrey Reed

• dividend-paying whole life insurance

• Nelson Nash

• financial chaos to control

• cash flow engines

• income engine

• increase your income

• cashflow mapping

• profit first

• private reserve strategy

• debt paradigm

• passive income

• asset-based income

• Government

• personal economy

• accurate thinking

• multiple income streams

• asset-based investments

• tax strategies

• side business ideas

• freelance writing

• tutoring

• online business

• AI integration

• entrepreneurship

• consulting or coaching

• real estate investment

• debt snowball

• financial education

• tax reduction tools

• financial freedom

• business development

• financial planning

• wealth legacy

Summary

Curtis sits down again with Dave Menz—now fully branded as The Laundromat Millionaire—to get the real 2026 update: what's changed, what's working, and why laundromats are still one of the strongest small-business plays in America. Dave breaks down how the industry shifted from "nobody talks about it" to a legitimate, modern, scalable asset class—driven by better operators, better systems, and a wave of mainstream attention.

What you'll learn

• What's changed for Dave since your first interview (platform growth, book, content, community)

• Why "collaboration over scarcity" is becoming the new standard in the laundromat world

• How modern laundromats are being built and operated differently than the old-school model

• The shift from "no info" to "too much info" — and how owners filter hype from truth

• The business "levels" (zombie mats → plain Jane → modernized) and how value is created

• Why scaling is easier now (tools, systems, vendors, and operational playbooks)

• Why laundromats got mainstream attention (essential business, recession resistance, COVID ripple effects)

• What still makes laundromats a strong cash-flow asset class today — and where the opportunity still is

• The real reason owners struggle: weak KPI tracking, messy books, and cash chaos

• Curtis's "Wealth Without Leaks" angle: plug the money leaks so scaling creates real wealth

Episode Highlights

00:00:13 - Laundromat: The Best Small Business

00:01:14 - Elevating the Laundromat Industry

00:03:04 - Sharing Secrets for Industry Growth

00:05:08 - Transformation Through Networking

00:07:00 - Building Wealth and New Ventures

00:09:56 - Launching the Laundromat Millionaire Show

00:12:00 - Industry's Digital Evolution

00:18:10 - Tech and Investment in Modern Laundromats

00:24:24 - Ultimate Shift: Full-Service Laundries

00:30:30 - Scaling Through Multiple Revenue Streams

00:39:13 - Serving a Broader Customer Base

00:43:40 - Measuring Employee and Customer Satisfaction

00:51:55 - The Pitfalls of Buying Laundromats

00:58:15 - Future Expansion and Coaching

01:04:24 - Servitude as a Form of Capitalism

Episode resources:

• Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com

• Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com

• How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com

Keywords

• Practical Wealth Show

• Curtis May

• Laundromat Millionaire

• Small Business

• Queens City Laundry

• Cincinnati

• Elevate Industry

• Networking

• Collaboration

• Best Practices

• Wealth Building

• Technology in Laundromats

• Laundromat Millionaire: The Grit to Elevate an Industry

• AI in Laundromats

• Public Speaking

• Book Publication

• Industry Networking

• Laundry Chain Scaling

• Laundromat Operations

• Servitude Mindset

• Business Optimization

• Wash-Dry-Fold Business

• Commercial Accounts

• Investing in Laundromats

• Essential Industries

• Recession Resistant

• Private Equity in Laundromats

• Business Valuation

• Expansion Opportunities

• Investment Strategies

• Business Coaching

• Financial Strategy

• Infinite Banking

• Velocity of Money

• Multiple Revenue Streams

• Customer Service

• Employee Satisfaction

• Revenue Growth

• Positive Reviews

• Podcasting

• Content Creation

• Media Presence

• Global Influence

• Community Service

• Full-service Laundry Center

• Pickup and Delivery Innovation

• Operational Efficiency

• Customer Retention

• Strategic Partnerships

• Professional Development

• Industry Trends

• Podcast Advertising

• Market Research

In this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis May interviews Brandi Jo Newman, a leading Infinite Banking practitioner and agency builder who has mastered the art of scalable growth through paid advertising, automation, and systems thinking.

Brandi explains how she built a $12,000-per-month paid ad engine that fills her team's calendars with qualified prospects, and how she uses AI and automation to turn each piece of content into a lead-generation system. Together, they unpack the business model behind her success and how it connects with Curtis's principle-based approach to wealth building.

Topics Covered:

• Why control, liquidity, and legacy matter more than rate of return

• How Brandi defines "wealth with intention" and "legacy by design"

• The role of Infinite Banking (IBC) as a system of control rather than just an insurance product

• Tax drag, wealth drains and how to plug them

• Private deal access and how high-income earners can deploy capital differently

• Your host's Money4Life Blueprint and how it aligns with Brandi's structure

• Practical steps listeners can take to become their own banker & macro-manager of money

Key Takeaways:

• Money working for your values, not the other way around

• Shifting from chasing returns to building systems of efficiency

• How to use cash-value life insurance intelligently as a control tool

• Building liquidity, flexibility, tax-efficiency, generational structures

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://www.practicalwealthadvisors.com

• https://www.practicalwealthsolutions.net/

• Email Curtis for a free report - [email protected]

• Call his office - 610-622-3121

• ERC Tax Credit - https://ercspecialists.com?fpr=curtis75

• Schedule a call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

• CashFlow Mapping: https://practicalwealth.cashflowmapping.com/lp/PWbudgetsstink

• Take the Next Step with Curtis May:

• Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com

• Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com

• How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/XJwH7kM0wWxYB1KICcOW

• Connect with Brandi Jo Newman

• [email protected]

• https://linktr.ee/brandijonewman

Special Listener Gift

• Schedule a 15-Minute Call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

Review, Subscribe and Share

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• Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts

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Real-estate operator August Biniaz (Co-Founder & CIO, CPI Capital) breaks down how he grew from agent and small developer to closing $225M+ in multifamily assets—plus the boutique advantages that win in today's market: cross-border investor structures, a mid-market acquisition lane ($20–$50M), and ruthless underwriting discipline (rent growth, exit caps, and debt selection). We cover value-add vs BTR, lessons from deals walked away from, and why talent, conservative debt, and 95% occupancy targets matter more than spreadsheets.

Highlights

• The mid-market moat: Why 100–300 doors,

• LP economics first: Targeting 15–20% average annualized returns and passing the "net-to-investor" test before bidding.

• Underwriting levers that kill deals: Keeping organic rent growth to ~2.5%–3%, and being conservative on exit cap rates.

• Debt is destiny: Why fixed, interest-only 5-year debt reduces "debt distress" risk.

• Boutique advantage: Direct access to principals, tight asset management, investor dinners, and hands-on ops.

• Cross-border structure: How Canadian LPs invest into U.S. deals while avoiding double taxation and using registered retirement funds (via MFT).

• Lessons learned: "Best deals are often the ones you walk away from," plus "hire slow, fire fast.

Enjoyed this? Subscribe to The Practical Wealth Show, share with an investor friend, and book a discovery chat to map your cashflow and capital strategy.

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://www.practicalwealthadvisors.com

• https://www.practicalwealthsolutions.net/

• Email Curtis for a free report - [email protected]

• Call his office - 610-622-3121

• ERC Tax Credit - https://ercspecialists.com?fpr=curtis75

• Schedule a call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

• CashFlow Mapping: https://practicalwealth.cashflowmapping.com/lp/PWbudgetsstink

• Take the Next Step with Curtis May:

• Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com

• Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com

• How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/XJwH7kM0wWxYB1KICcOW

• Connect with August Biniaz

• [email protected]

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/augustbiniaz

• Company: cpicapital.ca

• Newsletter: cpicapital.cpicapital.ca/newsletter

• Investor scheduling: meetings.hubspot.com/a

• Phone: +1 (604) 363-4797

Special Listener Gift

• Schedule a 15-Minute Call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

Review, Subscribe and Share

If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here

Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes.

• Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts

• Click here to subscribe with Spotify

• Click here to subscribe with RSS

On this episode, Curtis May welcomes Brent Kesler, a former chiropractor who transformed his life by applying a 200-year-old wealth strategy once used by the Rockefellers and Morgans. After eliminating nearly $1 million in debt in just 39 months, Brent sold his five successful chiropractic clinics to dedicate himself fully to wealth education. Today, as the founder of The Money Multiplier, Brent has taught more than 17,000 people how to build generational wealth outside of Wall Street's traps. His own daughter became a millionaire by age 24 using these very principles.

Highlights

What You'll Learn:

-How the Money Multiplier Method helps families transform their financial future

-Why Brent believes 401(k)s are outdated and dangerous

-How to accelerate debt freedom and build a private family banking system

-Case studies from everyday people who've created generational wealth

-The role of financial literacy in preparing the next generation

Key Takeaway:

You don't need to start wealthy to build wealth. With the right system, you can eliminate debt, stop losing money to banks and Wall Street, and take control of your financial future.

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://www.practicalwealthadvisors.com

• https://www.practicalwealthsolutions.net/

• Email Curtis for a free report - [email protected]

• Call his office - 610-622-3121

• ERC Tax Credit - https://ercspecialists.com?fpr=curtis75

• Schedule a call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

• CashFlow Mapping: https://practicalwealth.cashflowmapping.com/lp/PWbudgetsstink

• Take the Next Step with Curtis May:

• Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com

• Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com

• How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/XJwH7kM0wWxYB1KICcOW

• Connect with Brent Kesler & The Money Multiplier:

• Instagram: @the.money.multiplier

• [email protected]

• Facebook: The Money Multiplier

• LinkedIn: Brent Kesler

• Website: themoneymultiplier.com

• Linktree: linktr.ee/themoneymultiplier

Special Listener Gift

• Schedule a 15-Minute Call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

Review, Subscribe and Share

If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here

Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes.

• Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts

• Click here to subscribe with Spotify

• Click here to subscribe with RSS

In this episode, Curtis May sits down with Dr. Laquore J. Meadows, wealth strategist, educator, and CEO of Invest2Give and founder of Stocks & Sorors. Rising from poverty to earning her Ph.D., Dr. Meadows built a business dedicated to helping professionals and entrepreneurs take control of their financial futures through stock and options trading. We dive deep into her signature framework, the Wealth HOUZ, and her mission to show that your financial freedom should never hinge on politics, headlines, or fear of the market.

Highlights

What You'll Learn:

-Why elections and headlines don't control your financial destiny

-How the Wealth HOUZ helps you move from renting your financial future to owning it

-A 3-step framework to turn market uncertainty into opportunity

Dr. Meadows's journey from poverty to PhD and the lessons she brings to wealth creation

Key Takeaway: Financial empowerment begins with mindset and structure, not circumstances. You can build wealth regardless of who's in office or what the market is doing.

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://www.practicalwealthadvisors.com

• https://www.practicalwealthsolutions.net/

• Email Curtis for a free report - [email protected]

• Call his office - 610-622-3121

• ERC Tax Credit - https://ercspecialists.com?fpr=curtis75

• Schedule a call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

• CashFlow Mapping: https://practicalwealth.cashflowmapping.com/lp/PWbudgetsstink

• Take the Next Step with Curtis May:

• Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com

• Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com

• How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/XJwH7kM0wWxYB1KICcOW

• Connect with Dr. Laquore Meadows

• [email protected]

• Instagram: @invest2give

• LinkedIn: Dr. Laquore J. Meadows

• Website: invest2give.com

Special Listener Gift

• Schedule a 15-Minute Call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

Review, Subscribe and Share

If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here

Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes.

• Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts

• Click here to subscribe with Spotify

• Click here to subscribe with RSS

Most business owners think filing taxes is enough. The truth? Compliance keeps you safe, but strategy builds wealth.

In this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis sits down with Catrina M. Craft, CPA and tax strategist, to uncover how entrepreneurs can cut taxes by 25% and boost profits by 20% using proactive strategies the ultra-wealthy already know.

Catrina shares her journey of losing 80% of her income and $100K in debt, rebuilding her business with the same tools she now teaches high-earning entrepreneurs through her Craft Money Map™ system.

Highlights

Together, Curtis and Catrina break down:

• The difference between compliance vs. strategy in tax planning.

• Silent money leaks that cost entrepreneurs thousands each year.

• Lessons from celebrities and creators that everyday business owners can apply.

• How to turn taxes from a penalty into a pivot point for lasting wealth.

• What to expect as tax laws shift over the next 5 years — and how to stay ahead.

If you want to stop leaking money to the IRS and start building a resilient financial system, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://www.practicalwealthadvisors.com

• https://www.practicalwealthsolutions.net/

• Email Curtis for a free report - [email protected]

• Call his office - 610-622-3121

• ERC Tax Credit - https://ercspecialists.com?fpr=curtis75

• Schedule a call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

• CashFlow Mapping: https://practicalwealth.cashflowmapping.com/lp/PWbudgetsstink

• Connect with Catrina M. Craft

• Learn more about Catrina: CatrinaMCraft.com

• Explore the Money4Life Blueprint: https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/fhd4bpJNM6FkfmJI22bs

• Use the already to be the bank assessment

• Links/Resources: Free Strategy Call : https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/booking/P3coOQC0HSpJeuIumy8f

• [email protected]

• Guest Additional Info: Facebook : Catrina M Craft | Dallas TX

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrinamcraft/

• Visit: entertainmentcfo.com

• Visit: cmcraft.com

Special Listener Gift

• Schedule a 15-Minute Call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

Review, Subscribe and Share

If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here

Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes.

• Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts

• Click here to subscribe with Spotify

• Click here to subscribe with RSS

Taxes are your single biggest wealth transfer bigger than housing, food, or payroll. In this episode, Curtis May sits down with Matthew Pearson, co-founder of Advisors Excel, to uncover why most families and business owners overpay the IRS and what proactive strategies can fix it.

You'll learn:

-The difference between reactive vs. proactive tax planning.

-The 3 silent killers of business wealth.

-How poor bookkeeping and wrong entity setup drain cash flow.

-Why defense (tax strategy) wins championships in wealth-building.

👉 Ready to find out if you're tipping the IRS? Take the Tax Assessment here: https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/quiz/KvArsvt6IExjRpJCPcA1?notrack=true

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://www.practicalwealthadvisors.com

• https://www.practicalwealthsolutions.net/

• Email Curtis for a free report - [email protected]

• Call his office - 610-622-3121

• ERC Tax Credit - https://ercspecialists.com?fpr=curtis75

• Schedule a call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

• CashFlow Mapping: https://practicalwealth.cashflowmapping.com/lp/PWbudgetsstink

• Connect with Matthew Pearson

• [email protected]

• linkedin.com/in/matthewwpearson

• Website: excelempire.com (Company)

Special Listener Gift

• Schedule a 15-Minute Call with Curtis: https://aptwithcurtis.as.me/Strategysession

Review, Subscribe and Share

If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here

Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes.

• Click here to subscribe with Apple Podcasts

• Click here to subscribe with Spotify

• Click here to subscribe with RSS